Pneumatic tent, especially star-shaped canopy tent

ABSTRACT

A pneumatic tent ( 1 ) with at least one pole ( 2 ) extending in final assembly position vertically from the mounting surface ( 8 ) and a dome-shaped tent cover ( 3 ) extending over the self-supporting pole ( 2 ) which is locked and tensioned with locking means ( 4 ) in relation to the mounting surface ( 8 ), wherein the pole ( 2 ) containing a pressurized filling gas is constructed as single or multiple layered and includes a controllable or adjustable illumination device ( 5 ) that is placed inside the pole ( 2 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The expression pneumatic tents usually refers to inflatable tents andfloating dome tents which are used where a simpler and fasterinstallation, a low transport weight, a small packing size and possiblyan increased advertising effectiveness are of significant importance.

(2) Description of Related Art

These pneumatic tents are often used only briefly, for example, asstorage tent on large construction sites, as advertising pavilion, as aservice tent for military operations, as a medical tent, as an emergencyshelter, as a dwelling for traveling exhibitions, as festival hostel oras a pavilion for sports events,

For the construction of pneumatic tents, three basic designs havedominated the market, wherein for maintaining the required internalpressure, the pneumatic tents are either filled with air only once andthen closed off by valves, or a fan/compressor is operated permanently.

It is immanently important for the first design that the tent skinforming the shell of the tent is double-walled and subdivided intochambers, wherein each chamber is inflated individually or severalchambers are inflated together.

The structure of a geodesic dome, which is supported by a positivepressure generated by the blower and has a correspondingly designedpressure lock for access, is distinguished from this double-walleddesign.

Lastly, the frame construction with an inflatable frame shall bementioned, wherein the frame is at least partially covered by anadditional tarpaulin forming an outer skin. Such tent structures arecherished primarily in camping applications, in the advertising industryand sporting events because of their almost limitless functional designand visual appearance and moreover, because no—oftencumbersome—framework is required for their construction.

The latter types of pneumatic tents have manufacturing limitations whenofferings of so-called star-shaped canopy tents as purely pneumatictents are commercially desirable. Star-shaped canopy tents differ fromother tents in that they have a greater height and thus provide a morecomfortable “sensation of space” for the user.

Star-shaped canopy tents are composed, in essence, of a singlevertically extending, centrally placed post usually made of aluminum orwood, and a dome-shaped tent skin extending across the apex of the postand distally guyed at several points by tensioning elements and therebyanchored in the ground. The assembly of such a post, which is inherentlyheavy due to its normal length of 4 m to 12 m, requires at least twopeople for assembly/disassembly, which inevitably represents anorganizational and financial burden.

It has not been possible to date with the solutions currently availableon the market to replace the heavy, centrally-placed aluminum or woodenpost with a more manageable structure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the object of the invention to propose a pneumatic tent,in particular a star-shaped canopy tent, which can be particularlyeasily handled by a single person during transport and duringassembly/disassembly. In addition, the pneumatic tent should havegreater functionality.

According to the invention, the pneumatic tent, especially a star-shapedcanopy tent, has at least one pole extending in the final installationposition vertically from the mounting surface and a tent cover extendingover the self-supporting pole like a dome, which is locked and tensionedrelative to the mounting surface with locking means, wherein the polehaving a pressurized filling gas is formed with one or more layers andhas a controllable or adjustable illumination device, which is placedinside the pole.

In a multi-layered pole, the individual layers are connected with oneanother permanently, for example in form of a laminate, and/or aresuperpositioned and/or placed next to each other without being bonded,similar to a so-called “onion skin structure”.

The multilayered pole with layers that are superpositioned and/or placednext to each preferably includes a first layer, which is formed as anouter skin providing the exterior shape of the pole and acting as asupport structure. A second layer is formed as an inner tube forming afilling gas reservoir that can be filled once, with at least one valvepenetrating the outer skin, wherein the controllable or adjustableillumination device is placed either inside the inner tube designed asfillable filling gas reservoir or between the inner tube and the outerskin.

The employed filling gases are preferably pure oxygen, nitrogen, or amixture thereof, or air. Although air, unlike nitrogen, is naturallyavailable in unlimited quantities for free, pure nitrogen has theadvantage over air, of which nitrogen represents a fraction, in that ithas larger molecules that have a lesser tendency to diffuse.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, only a single poleis employed which is centrally placed relative to the tent cover, withthe dome-shaped tent cover spanning the apex of the pole. The outershape is similar to the shape of a tent of the North American Indians,i.e. a teepee. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide two poles,which are used when the user desires a larger “covered” tent area.

With this solution, a pneumatic star-shaped canopy tent is available onthe market for the first time, where not only the tent cover, but alsothe at least one illuminated pole, can be used as a backlit advertisingspace in addition to its function as a structural element, without thenecessity to permanently operate a blower for maintaining the internalpressure.

Preferably, polyester, for example Dacron, is used as material for therobust outer skin of the pole.

The outer skin of the pole includes an abrasion-resistant base sectionthat is resistant to mechanical forces, a center section and a headsection operatively connected with the tent cover, wherein one or moresections have locking means in the form of loops, rings, Velcro oreyelets for securing the pole with respect to the mounting area and alsofor attaching functional elements in the form of illumination means,loudspeakers, advertising banners, brackets or control elements on thepole.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous when the operativeconnection between the conical head portion of the pole and the tentcover is realized by means of a Velcro fastener.

To give the pole in final assembled position adequate stability, it isprovided that the cylinder-shaped pole is associated with a torus placedon the mounting surface, with the free cross-section of the torus beingdesigned to conform to the cross-section of the pole, wherein the torushas weighting means and surrounds the foot section of pole in form of aclosed loop and is optionally coupled with the pole. Water or sand isprovided as weighting means for the torus, which are usually availablefree of charge at almost any installation site.

The supporting structure of the pole is formed according to theinvention by the outer skin made of polyester in combination with theinner tube placed which is inside the outer skin and completely issurrounded by the outer skin. To ensure optimal conformity of theinflated inner tube to the outer skin, the material is preferablypolyurethane (PU) in the form of a foil

Such a construction, namely the assembly of a support structure with ahigh-strength Dacron outer skin and an inner PU foil, has proven innumerous trials to be particularly advantageous, since it can be usedeven under adverse weather conditions.

It has proven to be advantageous for selected applications of thesubject matter of the invention to form the tent cover and/or the outerskin of the pole in multi-part or segment-like form, wherein theindividual parts or segments are sewn together, glued, welded or joinedtogether by a Velcro connection.

In practical applications, it has proven to be advantageous to providein the foot section and/or in the center section of the pole at leastone reservoir in which equipment to be stored, for example thecompressor provided for a single filling, the power distribution, cable,and controller or regulator or locking means provided as replacement isplaced. According to the concept of the invention, the optionallyclosable reservoir may be formed at a height of the pole in the area ofthe center section, which represents a user-friendly working height,i.e. between one meter and two meters.

Preferably, the illumination device has a plurality of LED and isdesigned as backlight for the pole, and further includes an adjustingand positioning device for aligning the LEDs inside the pole that arecoupled with one another by cables or other conductive elements, such ascarbon fiber, exactly with respect to their height and spacing relativeto the outer skin of the pole. The adjusting and positioning device isconstructed such that it can be operated even in the final assemblyposition of pneumatic tent. In the simplest case, spacers, guidepulleys, spaced-apart locking means and one or more tensioning ropes areprovided, which are operatively connected with one another.

As already mentioned, the pole has an outer skin providing the outershape and functioning as a supporting structure and an inner tubefilling formed as a gas reservoir that can be filled once and has atleast one valve penetrating the outer skin. It may also be advantageousfor safeguarding against failure and ensuring functional and operationalsafety to provide several parallel inner tubes to produce a desiredredundancy. The parallel design of the safety-related system ensuresthat in case of failure of an inner tube due to an unexpected drop inair pressure, the other inner tube(s) ensure(s) the required stabilityof the pole supporting the tent cover. This minimized the risk that allinner tubes placed in the pole malfunction at the same time.

The at least one inner tube includes a valve constructed as an inletvalve with integrated back-siphoning function and penetrating the outerskin. This means that an inner tube inflated using an electric pump, apressurized air tank or a compressor can be readily emptied or evacuatedagain by switching the flow direction.

The invention has the following significant advantages and featurescompared to the prior art:

-   -   a compact pneumatic tent with excellent functionality, which can        be particularly easily handled by a single person during        transport and assembly/disassembly,    -   the pneumatic tent consists of at least one self-supporting pole        and a dome-shaped tent cover extending over the pole, wherein        the pole has a pressurized filling gas and is formed a single        layer or as multiple layers and has a controllable or adjustable        illumination device which is placed inside the pole,    -   in a pole formed of multiple layers, the individual layers are        permanently joined together, for example in the form of a        laminate, and/or are layers that are superpositioned or arranged        side-by-side without being bonded, in a pole formed of multiple        layers, wherein the layers are superpositioned or arranged        side-by-side without being bonded, a first layer is formed as an        outer skin giving the pole its outer shape and functioning as a        supporting structure, a second layer formed as an inner tube        forming a filling gas reservoir that can be filled once and has        at least one valve penetrating the outer skin, wherein the        controllable or adjustable illumination device is placed either        inside the inner tube formed as a finable filling gas reservoir        or between the inner tube and the outer skin,    -   not only the tent cover, but also the illuminated pole can be        used, in addition to its function as a structural element, as        backlit advertising space,    -   the pole is formed as an once-fillable filling system without        the necessity of having to continuously operate a blower to        maintain the internal pressure,    -   the tent cover and pole are only temporarily affixed to each        other and are in engagement exclusively by way of a Velcro        fastener engaged with each other, thus allowing easy        interchangeability for various reasons,    -   one or more sections of the pole include locking means in the        form of loops, rings, Velcro fasteners or eyelets so that, on        the one hand, the pole can be secured with respect to the        mounting area and, on the other hand, functional elements in the        form of illumination means, loudspeakers, advertising banners,        supports or control elements can be attached to the pole,    -   the cylinder-shaped pole is associated with a torus placed on        the mounting area, wherein the free cross-section of the torus        is formed so as to be compatible with the cross-section of the        pole, wherein the torus has weighting means and circularly        surrounds the foot portion of the pole and is optionally coupled        with the pole and thus gives the pole adequate stability, and    -   the illumination device is constructed as a backlight, which is        placed inside the inner tube designed as a fillable filling gas        reservoir or between the inner tube and the outer skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The aforementioned features and advantages of this invention can bebetter understood and assessed after a careful study of the followingdetailed description of preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments ofthe invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which showsin:

FIG. 1: a front view of the pneumatic tent in a first embodiment with apole formed as a single layer,

FIG. 2: a perspective view of the pneumatic tent in a first embodimentwith a pole formed as a single layer,

FIG. 3: a top view of the pneumatic tent in a first embodiment with apole formed as a single layer,

FIG. 4: a front view of the pneumatic tent in a second embodiment h apole formed as a single layer,

FIG. 5: a perspective view of the pneumatic tent in a second embodimentwith a pole formed as a single layer,

FIG. 6: a top view of the pneumatic tent in a second embodiment with apole formed as a single layer,

FIG. 7: a perspective view of the foot section and the center section ofa pole formed of multiple layers, and

FIG. 8: a perspective detail view of the torus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a front view, a perspective view and a plan view ofthe pneumatic tent 1 according to the invention in a first embodimentwith a pole 2 formed as a single layer. The pneumatic tent 1 isconstructed as a typical star-shaped canopy tent and has in theillustrated example a pole 2 extending in a final assembly positionvertically from the mounting surface 8 and a dome-shaped tent cover 3extending over the self-supporting pole 2 and being locked and tensionedwith respect to the mounting surface 8 with locking means 4. The singlepole 2 is here centrally placed relative to the tent cover 3, whereinthe dome-shaped tent cover 3 is spread across the apex ii of the pole 2.In this example, the pole 2 containing a pressurized filling gas isformed by only a single layer. The single-layer pole 2 or thesingle-layer wall of the pole 2 gives the pole 2 its outer shape andalso functions as a support structure due to the introduced, pressurizedfilling gas. As can be seen, the tent cover 3 is constructed in multipleparts or in segments, wherein the individual parts or segments are sewntogether. The pole 2 further includes an abrasion-resistant foot section2.4 resistant to an applied mechanical force, a center section 2.5 and ahead section 2_6 operatively connected with the tent cover 3. Thedetachable or temporary operative connection between the conical headsection 2.6 of the pole 2 and the tent cover 3 is realized with a Velcrofastener.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show a front view, a perspective view and a plan view ofthe pneumatic tent 1 according to the invention in a second embodiment,with a pole 2 being formed as a single layer. The pneumatic tent 1 isconstructed as a typical star-shaped canopy tent and has in theillustrated example two poles 2 extending in a final assembly positionvertically from the mounting surface 8 and a dome-shaped tent cover 3extending over the two self-supporting poles 2 and being locked andtensioned with respect to the mounting surface 8 with locking means 4.The two poles 2 are here linearly placed relative to the tent cover 3,i.e. on a common axis, wherein the dome-shaped tent cover 3 is spreadacross the respective apexes 1,1 of the poles 2. In this example, thetwo poles 2 which each contain a pressurized filling gas are formed onlyby a single layer. The two single-layer poles 2 or the single-layer wallof each pole 2 give the poles 2 their outer shape and also function as asupport structure due to the introduced, pressurized filling gas. As canbe seen, the tent cover 3 is constructed in multiple parts or insegments, wherein the individual parts or segments are sewn together.Each of the poles 2 further includes an abrasion-resistant foot section2.4 resistant to an applied mechanical force, a center section 2.5 and ahead section 2.6 operatively connected with the tent cover 3. Thedetachable or temporary operative connection between the conical headsection 2.6 of each pole 2 and the tent cover 3 is each realized with aVelcro fastener.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the foot section 2.4 and the section2.5 of a multi-layered pole 2, wherein the individual layers aresuperpositioned or arranged side-by-side without bonding. A first layeris here an outer skin 2.1 giving the pole 2 its the outer shape andfunctioning as a supporting structure, and a second layer is formed asan inner tube formed as a filling gas reservoir 2.2 that needs to befilled only once and has a valve 2.3 penetrating the outer skin 2.1. Thecontrollable or adjustable illumination device 5 is in this exampleinside the inner tube 2.2 formed as a tillable filling gas reservoir.The inner tube 2.2 of each pole 2 is fabricated from a stretchable PUand the outer skin 2.1 consists of a polyester fabric, in this exampleDacron. Both the foot section 2.4 and the center section 2.5 havelocking means 4 in the form of only schematically illustrated loops,rings, Velcro fasteners or eyelets for securing, on the one hand, thepole 2 with respect to the mounting surface 8 and, on the other hand,for attaching to the pole 2 functional elements in the form ofillumination means, loudspeakers, advertising banners, supports orcontrol elements. The center section 2.5 includes a reservoir 7, inwhich equipment for storing, for example, the compressor provided forone-time filling of the pole 2, power distribution, cables, a controland regulating device or locking means 4 provided as replacement isplaced. The illumination device 5 of the pole 2 includes several LEDsdesigned as backlight and has an adjusting and positioning device 5.1for precisely aligning the LEDs, which are interconnected with cables,inside the pole 2 in their height and their spacing relative to theouter skin 2.1 of the pole 2. The reference numeral in FIG. 7 indicatesan on/off switch for a vertical lifting device of the illuminationdevice 5; however, the on/off switch for the illumination device 5 canalso be arranged at this location.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective detailed view of a torus 6 constructed insegments. This torus 6 placed on the mounting surface 8 is preferablyassociated with the cylinder-shaped pole 2, see FIGS. 1, 3 and 7, withthe free cross section of the torus 6 being formed so as to conform tothe cross section of the pole 2, wherein the torus having weightingmeans is coupled with the pole 2 by unillustrated ropes, thus giving thepole 2 sufficient stability. Water or sand is provided as weightingmeans for the torus 6. The torus 6 may hereby consist of afactory-supplied dimensionally-stable material or be made of a materialwhich acquires its dimensional stability only after being filled withsand or water.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 Pneumatic Tent

1.1 Apex

2 pole

2.1 Outer skin

2.2 Inner tube

2.3 Valve

2.4 Foot section

2.5 Center section

2.6 Head section

3 Tent Cover

4 Locking means

5 Illumination device

5.1 Adjusting and positioning device

6 Torus

7 Reservoir

8 Mounting surface

1. A pneumatic tent (1), comprising at east one self-supporting pole(2), a mounting surface (8), a dome-shaped tent cover (3 wherein the atleast one self-supporting pole extends in final assembly positionvertically from the mounting surface (8), wherein the dome-shaped tentcover (3) extends over the self-supporting pole (2) and is locked andtensioned with locking means (4) to the mounting surface (8), whereinthe self-supporting pole (2) contains a pressurized filling g
 2. Thepneumatic tent (1) according to claim 1 wherein the self-supporting pole(2) is formed in multiple layers comprising individual layers, eachindividual layer a. is permanently connected to the other individuallayer, forming a laminate, and/or b. is superpositioned or arrangedside-by-side without bonding to the other individual layer.
 3. Thepneumatic tent (1) according to claim 15, wherein the self-supportingpole (2) is formed in multiple layers with the layers beingsuperpositioned of each other or arranged side-by-side without bonding,a. a first layer, formed as an outer skin (2.1) giving the pole (2) theouter shape and support, and b. a second layer, formed as an inner tube(2.2) to contain filling gas and having at least one valve (2.3)penetrating the outer skin, wherein the controllable or adjustableillumination device (5) is placed either inside the inner tube (2.2)formed to contain filling gas or between the inner tube (22) and theouter skin (2.1).
 4. The Pneumatic tent (1) according to claim 14,wherein the tent cover (3) is spread across an apex (1.1) of the pole(2), positioned centrally of the tent cover (3).
 5. The pneumatic tent(1) according to claim 3, wherein the outer skin (2.1) of the pole (2)is made of polyester.
 6. The pneumatic tent (1) according to claim 5,wherein the outer skin (2.1) of the pole (2) comprises anabrasion-resistant foot section (2.4) resistant to an applied mechanicalforce, a center section (2.5) and a head section (2.6) operativelyconnected with the tent cover (3), wherein one or more sections(2.4-2.6) comprise locking means (4) in the form of at least one ofloops, rings, Velcro fasteners and eyelets for, on the one hand,securing the pole (2) relative to the mounting surface (8) and, on theother hand, for attaching to the pole (2) functional elements in theform of illumination means, loudspeakers, advertising banners, supportsor control elements.
 7. The pneumatic tent (1) according to claim 6,wherein the one or more sections (2.4-2.6) includes a conical head andwherein the operative connection between the conical head section (2.6)of the pole (2) and the tent cover (3) is realized with a Velcrofastener.
 8. The pneumatic tent (1) according to claim 1, furthercomprising a torus (6) having a free cross-section, the torus is placedon the mounting surface (8) and is associated with the self-supportingpole (2), wherein the free cross-section of the torus (6) is formed toconform to the cross-section of the pole (2), wherein the torus (6)serves as weights and circularly surround the foot section (2.4) of thepole (2) and is optionally coupled with the pole (2) to providestability.
 9. The pneumatic tent (1) according to claim 8, wherein thetorus contains water or sand.
 10. The pneumatic tent (1) according toclaim 3, wherein the inner tube (2.2) of the pole (2) is composed of astretchable PU foil.
 11. The pneumatic tent (1) according to claim 1,wherein the tent cover (3) and/or the outer skin (2.1) of the pole (2)are constructed from multiple individual parts, wherein the individualparts are one of sewn together, glued, welded or connected by aloop-link (Velcro®) connection.
 12. The pneumatic tent (1) tentaccording to claim 6, wherein the foot section (2.4) and/or the centersection (2.5) has at least one storage reservoir (7), for storing atleast one of compressor for a single filling, power distribution,cables, and control and replacements of adjusting device or lockingmeans (4).
 13. The pneumatic tent (1) according to claim 15, wherein theillumination device (5) of the pole (2) includes a plurality of LEDs,configured as a backlight and comprises an adjusting and positioningdevice (5.1) for exactly aligning the LEDs inside the pole (2), theplurality of LEDs is are interconnected with cables with respect totheir height and the spacing relative to the outer skin (2.1) of thepole (2),
 14. The pneumatic tent of claim 1, wherein the tent is astar-shaped canopy tent.
 15. The pneumatic tent of claim 1, wherein theself-supporting pole (2) includes a controllable or adjustableillumination device (5) that is placed inside the pole (2).
 16. Thepneumatic tent of claim 1 wherein the self-supporting pole (2) isconstructed as a single layer or as multiple layers.
 17. The pneumatictent of claim 1, wherein the at least one self-supporting pole comprisestwo poles.
 18. The pneumatic tent (1) according to claim 5, wherein thepolyester is Dacron.